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Mauer solid, Dozier homers, but Twins fall to Marlins

Kevin Correia regained his starting role to close out 2012 but the righty's low strikeout rate may relegate him to spot starts in '13

By Rhett Bollinger
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MLB.com |

FORT MYERS, Fla. -- Top prospect Christian Yelich and Chris Valaika homered to help lead the Marlins to a 6-2 win over the Twins in a rain-shortened game that was called after five innings Monday at Hammond Stadium.

The Twins got on the board early, scoring twice off Marlins right-hander Nathan Eovaldi in the first inning. Aaron Hicks drew a leadoff walk before Brian Dozier launched a two-run blast. It was the first homer of the spring for Dozier.

Twins catcher Joe Mauer also made his return after playing for Team USA in the World Baseball Classic and went 2-for-3 with two singles.

But the Marlins used a four-run second inning against Twins right-hander Kevin Correia to their advantage, as the first six batters reached base that inning. Nick Green brought home the first run on an RBI single before Kyle Skipworth drew a bases loaded walk and Gorkys Hernandez plated two runs with a single to center field.

Valiaka gave Miami another run in the third on a solo blast off Correia. Correia, making his fifth Grapefruit League start, gave up five runs on five hits and two walks over four innings to see his spring ERA increase to 6.46.

"It just went awry there for a few hitters," Correia said. "That was about it. Luckily, I was eventually able to work my way out of there."

Yelich, ranked as the No. 13 overall prospect according to MLB.com, later blasted a solo homer of his own off Twins reliever Tim Wood in the fifth. The homer ended up in the pond about 100 feet past the fence in right field.

Up next for the Twins: The Twins have a scheduled day off Tuesday before returning to action Wednesday, available on Gameday Audio. Right-hander Mike Pelfrey is scheduled to start for the Twins against the Rays in a 6:05 p.m. CT start at Hammond Stadium. Left-hander Matt Moore is scheduled to start for Tampa Bay.